Gay pride swept across Ireland last night as voters turned out in record numbers to make sure the Yes side won out.

Odds on approving same sex marriage were slashed throughout the day from 1/10 to 1/25.

Thousands of Irish citizens travelled from around the globe to be home to push for a Yes vote, with turnout from the young particularly high.

Brian Sheehan from the Yes Equality campaign said: “Ireland will never go back to what it was for LGBT citizens.”

Bookies Paddy Power last night predicted a landslide for the Yes side, with a 96.15% chance of the referendum passing.

Robert Jackman was one of thousands who flew home from London to vote in the referendum. Pictured with his family, from left to right Paul Jackman, Willie Jackman, Robert Jackman, Mary Jackman and Michael Jackman

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out in some of the highest numbers ever seen for a referendum, with overall turnout expected to more than 60% - figures not seen since the divorce referendum in 1995.

With voter participation expected to be more than 60% in parts of Dublin, 50% in Limerick and Kerry and 40% in other parts of the country, this means that more people will have voted in this referendum than in any referendum since 1937.

Ireland could now be on the brink of being the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage by popular vote.

Never before scenes of voters queueing outside polling stations were reported across the country.

And thousands of Irish ex-pats took to social media as they proudly travelled home to vote.

Voters came from as far afield as San Francisco, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand and united under the hashtag #HomeToVote on social media.

Helen Brassil (left) and Sharon Webb celebrate after casting their vote at St. James Primary School, Dublin, in the referendum on gay marriage

Brian Sheehan, co-director of Yes Equality, said: “Witnessing young people return home to Ireland to their communities has been truly humbling.

“The marriage equality movement has ignited the imagination of a people to have an active part in the Ireland they want to live in and be proud of.

“Regardless of the outcome of the campaign, Ireland can and will never go back to what it was for LGBT citizens.

“The outpouring of support from our families and our communities will inspire other countries to pursue and secure true equality.”

The issue trended worldwide with more than 27,000 mentions of #HomeToVote on Twitter in the past 24 hours.

Citizens were also asked to vote on whether the age of presidential candidates should be lowered to 21 from 35.

And people in Carlow Killkenny were also asked to decide a Dail by-election in a seat vacated by the now EU commissioner Phil Hogan.

Award winning musician Andrew Hozier-Byrne fly back to Ireland from London so he could vote.

Éire. Have some hrs free, flying in to vote tomorrow. It's the most important thing you'll do. Don't forget!

The Bray native had just picked up an Ivor Novello gong for his Take Me To Church song, the video for which shows a gay couple kissing before being attacked by masked thugs.

He said: “Éire! Have some hours free, flying in to vote.

“It’s the most important thing you’ll do. Don’t forget!”

Giving marriage rights to same-sex partners would remove the last bastion of institutional homophobia, a gay couple said.

After casting their ballots in Ireland’s historic referendum, Richard Lucey, 48, and Paul Higgins, 50, said the vote was about sending a message of support and acceptance to young people coming to terms with their sexuality.

The couple, from Clontarf, north Dublin, who have been together 19 years, said they are pretty sure marriage would be their next step if the vote passes.

“It’s only 22 years since homosexuality was decriminalised and there’s only one group in society who can’t get married,” Mr Lucey said.

Senator David Norris casts his vote at the polling station in the Department of Education, Marlborough Street (Image: Collins Photo Agency)

“And it sends a message to young people. The overwhelming thing is around equality and eliminating the last step of institutional homophobia.”

Both men were confident that the proposal to amend the Irish Constitution would be passed, with the high voter turnout key to success.

“I can’t really countenance that my fellow citizens would go out to vote and there would be a majority who would vote against this. It just isn’t going to happen,” Mr Higgins said.

“I’m not complacent and I wouldn’t have said that yesterday but after being out to vote and seeing it for myself I’m confident it will pass.”

The two men wed in a civil partnership four years ago after the Irish Government introduced a new registration system for gay couples in 2010 with the first ceremonies taking place in spring 2011.

Mr Lucey said: “There’s an enormously high incidence rate of suicide and attempted suicide in gay and lesbian kids and anything that says the people have voted and voted in favour of acceptance and equality and to support these people, that’s hugely important.”

Newly married couple Anne and Vincent Fox showed their support for the Yes campaign by casting their vote on their wedding day in Dublin.

Newly married couple Anne Fox and Vincent Fox celebrate their wedding day by showing their support for the Yes campaign by casting their votes at a polling station

Meanwhile in Cork 101 year old retired teacher Kitty Cotter went made her way to the polling station to have her voice heard in her rainbow coloured top.

A video of the pensioner explaining why she would Yes, shot by her granddaughter Ca, exploded across social media platforms since it appeared online.

Bookies Paddy Power last night slashed their odds of a Yes win from 1/10 early on Friday to 1/25 by late evening.

John Lyons TD with his mother Josie at the polling station in Holy Spirit National School, Sillogue, Ballymun (Image: Collins Photo Agency)

Spokesman Philip Mac An Iomaire said: “Reports of a large turnout meant it more likely it would be a Yes.

“It started as far as 1/10. It went as far as 1/33 at one stage. The reason for that was that the No side were throwing money at it.

“It has a 96.15% chance of passing.

“On the other side No is 7/1.”

Voting counting will go on throughout the day with the final result expected late evening (Saturday).

Thousands of campaigners are expected to gather in Dublin Castle after officials announced the gates will be opened on Saturday for the results.

Fianna Fail councillor Paul McAuliffe said: “I am delighted to confirm that Minister Harris has agreed to my request to create an area within the grounds of Dublin Castle to allow referendum campaigners to hear the votes as they are announced.

"A big screen will be erected in the courtyard and there will be space for 2,000 people on a first come first served basis.

“This is a campaign that has captured the hearts and minds of much of the electorate, and it has inspired many people who have never been involved in politics or civil action to get involved for the first time.

"It is only right that these campaigners are given a place to gather and hear the results come in."